MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Real-world experience is key to success of Middle Tennessee State University’s top-ranked College of Education teacher training program and collaboration with mentors in local school districts help make it happen.

“These partnerships are at the heart of our mission, transforming theory into meaningful, hands-on learning,” Education Dean Neporcha Cone said. “They empower our students to enter classrooms with confidence, purpose, and a strong sense of who they are as future educators — prepared to make a lasting impact on the lives of K–12 students.”

To formally recognize mentors who have gone above and beyond, the college annually presents the #True Blue Mentor Teachers of Excellence awards.

This year’s winners include:

• Tiara Vance from Discovery School in Murfreesboro City Schools for the Early Childhood Program Award.

• Jennfier Wenzlick from Buchanan Elementary in Rutherford County Schools for the Elementary Education (K-5) Program Award.

• Wendy Wells from South Middle School in Franklin County School District for the Middle Level Education Program Award.

• Brenda Taylor from Northfield Elementary in MCS for the Special Education Program Award.

• Kaylee Garcia Yocotu from Cascade High School in Bedford County Schools for the Secondary Education Program Award.

“These individuals have been nominated for their exemplary service and unwavering dedication to their teacher candidates,” said committee member Pam Kramer Ertel, professor of education, “offering steadfast support, insightful feedback, and a nurturing environment that significantly contributes to the professional and personal growth of our future educators.

“Their commitment represents the highest standards of mentorship, and we are proud to celebrate their impactful contributions to the teaching profession.”

Recipients are nominated by the MTSU education teacher candidates and university supervisors who work with the mentor teachers.

A committee comprised of faculty from the Department of Elementary and Special Education — including Kramer Ertel, Shannon Harmon and Janna McClain  — uses a rubric to score submissions and at least one recipient from each undergraduate program category in the college is selected.

Awards were hand delivered in time for National Teacher Appreciation Week, which is May 5-9 this year.

“Mentor teachers are essential in shaping the careers of novice educators,” Kramer Ertel said. “We are incredibly thankful for the time, commitment and expertise our MTSU mentor teachers share. Their efforts in nurturing future educators are invaluable and greatly appreciated, playing a crucial role in developing confident, capable teachers and enhancing the future of education.”

Vance: A ripple effect

Seeing teacher candidates adapt and grow as an educator is a favorite aspect of being a mentor for Discovery School kindergarten teacher Tiara Vance, who has welcomed nine into her classroom over the last 14 years.

“I am truly honored to be a small part of these teachers’ educational journeys. Watching them bring learning to life is nothing short of incredible,” said the MTSU alumna, a native of Pennsylvania. “MTSU is creating a powerful community of future educators, and I have no doubt that the impact of this program will ripple through classrooms for generations to come. I know this is shaping the future of education in lasting and meaningful ways.”

Wenzlick: Impacting educators for ‘years to come’

Since 2018, Buchanan Elementary kindergarten teacher Jennifer Wenzlick has served as a mentor for eight teacher candidates and loves seeing them gain confidence over the semester as they take the helm in the classroom for the first time. She doesn’t take her role as a mentor lightly.

“Students need someone to help guide them, give them feedback and find their strengths. My mentor told me she believed in me before I even believed in myself, and I want to do the same for teaching candidates,” said the MTSU alumna from Manchester. “I hope I can continue to positively impact students in MTSU’s teacher education program for years to come.”

Wells: Learning from each other

MTSU alumna Wendy Wells, who has taught sixth-grade English Language Arts at South Middle School in Winchester for 19 years, sees the mentorship as a win-win for everyone.

“This benefits students because it gives them practice with the reality of day-to-day classroom experiences the textbooks do not provide and shows students how to be flexible,” said Wells, who taught first graders for 10 years before taking on middle schoolers. “I also learn from the students because they bring in new ideas that I can implement into my classroom.”

Taylor: Collaboration important to success for all

Northfield Elementary Comprehensive Development Classroom instructor Brenda Taylor has lost count of students she’s mentored over her 31-year career in education. Not only is the role beneficial for teacher candidates and their future, but the interaction is also important to the growth and success of education.

“I equally enjoy learning new trends and techniques in education from college students.  I love picking their brain for ideas and strategies that I might not have thought of,” said Taylor, who teaches children with disabilities. “Hands-on experience and collaboration with colleagues help us grow and fine tune our craft.”

Yocotu: Paying it forward

Kaylee Garcia Yocotu, a Spanish language teacher at Cascade High School, is paying it forward as a teaching mentor.

“Teaching is a hard job, full of lots of responsibilities,” Yocotu said. “I was very lucky to have an amazing mentor and it’s nice to know I can somewhat follow in the footsteps of someone who made such a great impact on my own life and teaching career.”

To learn more about the opportunities at the College of Education, visit the website https://education.mtsu.edu/ and Facebook page www.facebook.com/MTSUEducation.

— Nancy DeGennaro (Nancy.DeGennaro@mtsu.edu)